The Economist website

  Question 1 Go to The Economist website and search for the Big Mac Index for a recent time period. Compare the Purchasing Power of the United States with another country. Try to choose a country with which you are not very familiar. What does this parity say about the potential standard of living in the country you chose? What does it say about the potential wage level? Question 2 Over several decades, some industries, such as textile and clothing, which were once a significant part of the U.S. economy, have shifted manufacturing abroad. Using the idea of opportunity cost, provide an explanation of the reasoning behind this shift. How has this shift affected economic well-being locally? How do the gains compare to the losses?